Lithuania Withdraws from Cluster Munitions Ban

Lithuania's decision to withdraw from the Convention on Cluster Munitions has officially come into legal effect as of Thursday.

The country is no longer bound by the international treaty that prohibits the production, use, and stockpiling of cluster bombs, marking a significant shift in its defense policy.

The Lithuanian Parliament, known as the Seimas, voted in favor of leaving the treaty in July 2024. Later that year, the government formally notified the United Nations of its intention to exit the agreement.

Following a six-month waiting period, the withdrawal became legally binding on March 6, 2025.

Lithuania is also considering pulling out of the Ottawa Treaty, which bans anti-personnel landmines.

Officials in Vilnius have suggested that this move could be coordinated with other NATO member states along the alliance’s eastern flank, particularly those sharing borders with Russia and Belarus.